[Teflonic]

Government run companies are just so efficient and logical, no wonder so many want their lives run by the government as well. [huge sarc]

[BobL]

Doesn’t matter...union-built. I doubt anyone on this site is DUMB ENOUGH to buy a car from the America-hating UAW.

[RobertClark]

Ahhh, '69 Hemi Cuda - a real car if there was ever one built!

[stayathomemom]

When I first heard this news on the radio today I was so disappointed. However, print articles mentioned that the Chrysler Caravan would still be made. We have owned two Dodge/Chrysler minivans since '85 and leased our last two. We bought our first one before my youngest daughter was born. They were great vehicles for long trips to see grandparents, as a porta-potty fit nicely in the back. As my daughters grew, the minivans carted classmates on field trips, helped move things in and out of the girls' dorm, and facilitated moves to their first apartments when they started work after graduation. Now that we are empty nesters, my husband and I can throw our bicycles in the back if need be. The most important use now for me is that my mother's wheel chair fits easily in the back. As more and more people of my generation take on the care of their aging parents, they will need a vehicle that can handle a wheel chair. I've rented GM's HHR crossover when visiting my mother-in-law. It can handle a wheelchair too, but not with as much ease.

[JoeFromCA]

The Dodge Caravan (and Town and Country) are the only minivans with seats that fold down into the deck, making a cargo van out of a minivan. Dodge/Chrysler spent millions of dollars inventing a way to store the seats below the deck. You can practically live in one, especially if you’re a man and don’t really need an indoor bathroom.
I’m just glad the Town and Country will still be manufactured. I rent one every year for Burning Man in Nevada, they’re great!!

[CzarChasm]

it’s a piece of junk, good riddance

runs great for about 6 months, then...odd noises. that the mechanics can’t find. then more odd noises. then recall notices on various parts, 2 or 3 a year

traded it and a big wad of cash for a mercedes; happy now

[Wheelman81]

I own an 02 that I inherited from my Dad. I was skeptical at first, having been a small car guy. While a bit of a gas hog, is has been a reliable workhorse. The ride and handling are solid, particularly here in snowy upstate NY. I would another one when the time comes. I’d be sorry to see the model go, but maybe Corporate is more clever than we think. A second Obama term would likely mean $8/gal. gas. Who’ll be able to afford to drive a Grand Caravan?

[Newtoidaho]

Don’t forget, we’re talking about a company run by a government that thinks it’s a great idea to give $500 million to another company which makes solar panels for $6 and can only sell them for $3.

It would be hilarious if it weren’t so tragic.

[onona]

My first car. As soon as I got it, I ripped out the bench seats and put an old sofa in it. I can still see my dad shaking his head....

[hattend]

2013 will be the last year the Caravan is sold, despite the fact it is currently the best selling Dodge vehicle on the market.

Gee, why can't Chrysler/Dodge/Fiat make a profit? Was this a command from the White Hut?

[tanknetter]

Folks, please stop overreacting to this.

All this happens to be about is branding and marketing. They want Dodge to be seen as 1.) the performance brand (hence the Charger, Challenger, etc) and 2.) the truck brand (hence the Ram, etc).

A minivan doesn’t “fit” with those two “Dodge” images. So they’re going to consolidate the minivan line under Chrysler. Aren’t both brands produced on the same assembly lines anyways?

I’d guess that they’ll now offer more options for the minivans under the Chrysler brand to fill any “gaps” lost by taking the Dodge “brand” away.

I recall a few years back when people here were upset about how Ford was going to get rid of the “Excursion” (under the auspices of it not being “green” enough). Turns out all that Ford did was get rid of the Excursion name and start selling pretty much the same vehicle as the Ford “Expedition XL”.

[Puddleglum]

since the government bailout they have decided to pour all their R&D into developing a solar-powered subway. It's green and public transit, so what could go wrong?

[Pharmboy]

I had 3 Caravans during my lacrosse, swim team, field hockey, basketball dad days. Great cars (though not cool), and the only thing that went were the trannies (at around 85,000 miles). RIP.

[RoadTest]

This reminds me ofthe cancelling the iconic Grand Prix and then Pontiac Division itself! It’s as stupid as letting Saturn fall by the wayside. Stupid enough to be from the UAW and Obama.

[The Cajun]

Probably a White Hut team working feverishly trying to kill off the Dodge Ram truck.

[monkeyshine]

Drop your #1 selling item? Must be Obama University MBA people running that place. But it is just part of the stupid business decisions I’ve seen all over. Like Netflix deciding to change their name after 15 years and hundreds of millions in promotion and advertising. Or giving $500 million to a solar panel start up that made no new innovations in a market with over a dozen competitors already in the business losing money hand over fist.

What is going on out there? People who should know better are acting desperate when they need not be. It is nonsensical. There is a real fear out there making people crazy. Or else perhaps there are people in high places who simply rose up through the ranks up to their level of incompetence.